Young scientist's fundraising drive

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Scott Stinson pictured at Heriot-Watt University

An award-winning research scientist and graduate of Heriot-Watt University is raising funds to pay for treatment to fight a rare form of cancer.

Scott Stinson completed a MChem in Chemistry with Nanotechnology and graduated from Heriot-Watt in 2016. He then went on to embark on a joint CDT between Heriot-Watt, St Andrews University and the University of Edinburgh to carry out PhD-level research in the field of chemistry.

But a bright and promising career was suddenly interrupted when in April 2018, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma – more commonly known as bone cancer - of the right proximal humerus. The disease would lead to the amputation of Scott's right arm and shoulder.

Time is not on my side and I will be hoping to raise enough funds to begin the first round of treatment by the end of April.

Scott Stinson

Tragically, just four months after his diagnosis, Scott discovered the cancer spread to his lungs with medical staff advising there were no curative treatments available to him on the NHS.

Determined to fight the disease, the 25-year-old decided to carry out his own research leading him to launch an ambitious fundraising drive to help pay for private healthcare treatments that cost up to £55,000 each accompanied by ongoing monthly costs.

In under a week, Scott raised more than £66,000 but admits he is now facing a race against a time.

Scott says: “Time is not on my side and I will be hoping to raise enough funds to begin the first round of treatment by the end of April.

“As well as raising funds for my further treatment, I hope to raise awareness for this rare disease. Osteosarcoma is considered an orphan disease whose rarity means there is a lack of a market large enough to gain support and resources for discovering treatments for it. It's most common in teenagers and young adults, especially in young males. Any bone in the body can be affected but the most common sites are the arms or legs, particularly around the knee joint. 

“I understand this is a huge amount of money to ask from people. But raising these funds mean I have a chance to continue living my life with my wonderful girlfriend, family and friends. I can't thank you enough for your support.”

Anyone who wishes to find out more about Scott or donate to his fundraising campaign can do so here.